Turtles
Aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles are one of the most popular reptile pets in the world, recognised instantly by their domed shells, webbed feet, and habit of basking in a pile on any warm surface they can find. They’re visually appealing, fascinating to watch, and surprisingly long-lived — many common species reach 20 to 40 years in captivity with good care.
The most commonly kept species include red-eared sliders, yellow-bellied sliders, painted turtles, map turtles, musk turtles, and mud turtles. Of these, musk and mud turtles stand out for keepers with limited space — they stay small, typically reaching 4 to 5 inches, and can be comfortably housed in a 30-gallon tank as adults. Red-eared sliders, on the other hand, reach 10 to 12 inches and need 75 to 100 gallons of water as adults, plus a substantial basking area.
Filtration is the single biggest challenge in turtle keeping. Turtles are messy — they eat in the water, defecate in the water, and produce significantly more waste than fish of equivalent size. A filter rated for two to three times your tank volume is not excessive. Without adequate filtration, ammonia builds up rapidly and leads to respiratory infections, shell rot, and skin problems.
Diet varies by species but generally includes a commercial turtle pellet as a base, supplemented with leafy greens like romaine and dandelion, and occasional protein sources like feeder fish, earthworms, or aquatic invertebrates. Calcium supplementation through cuttlebone or calcium blocks is important for shell health.
Our turtle guides cover enclosure setup, filtration, diet, UVB lighting, hibernation, common health issues, and species-specific care for every turtle we cover.
